Hall Bulldog in the Press: 1931-1932 Newspaper Coverage

Students at Baltrun Flying School have completed a two-place biplane and are now planning to build a gull-wing monoplane designed by Robert L. Hall, formerly of Granville Brothers. The new racing plane is expected to make over 180 mph with a Warner 110-horsepower engine and will be built at the Springfield airport.

Title: Students at Baltrun Flying School, Keywords: Gull-wing monoplane planned for winter construction. Mentions Hall's connection to Granville Brothers and target speed of 180+ mph with Warner 110hp engine.

Robert L. Hall, designer of the Gee Bee 'City of Springfield' racing planes, announces he will work on a new gull-wing racer after leaving Granville Brothers. Hall has entered a partnership with Baltrun Flying School and hopes to build a racing ship for the 1932 National Air Races.

Title: Hall Announces Partnership, Keywords: Hall announces partnership with Baltrun Flying School. Ex-Granville engineer plans to build gull-wing racer.

Robert L. Hall, former chief engineer for Granville Brothers, is buying an interest in the Baltrun Flying and Mechanics' school at Springfield airport. Students have already started building wing and landing gear parts for the speedship, continuing the spirit of the late Lowell R. Bayles.

Title: Hall Buying Interest in Baltrun School, Keywords: Plans 'speedship' in the spirit of Lowell Bayles. Mentions Joseph Baltrun, Joseph Silverthorne, and William Hermann.

A full-size wooden model of the gull-wing racing plane is nearing completion at Bowles Agawam airport. Robert L. Hall serves as chief engineer on the project. The racer is expected to make 185 mph with a Warner 110-horsepower engine, with a wingspan of 33 feet and overall length of 15 feet 4 inches.

Title: Full-Size Model Nearly Completed, Keywords: Gull-wing racer nearly completed at Bowles-Agawam. Specifications: 185 mph target, Warner 110hp engine, 33 ft wingspan, 15 ft 4 in length.

Robert Hall is building a racing plane for the Thompson Trophy event. Russell Thaw, a 21-year-old transport pilot backed by the Guggenheim family, will fly the plane. This will be the first racing plane built by Springfield Aircraft after Hall's split from Granville Brothers, with first test flights planned for August 20.

Title: Hall Building Racing Plane for Thompson Trophy, Keywords: First test flights set for August 20. Mentions Russell Thaw and Mrs. Guggenheim's backing. Target speed: 250+ mph.

Photo shows Robert L. Hall and Zantford D. Granville, former colleagues who are now building rival speed ships at Springfield airport. Both designers worked together on the Gee Bee racers before Hall started his own company to build a gull-wing Thompson Trophy contender.

Title: Hall and Granville Announced as Rivals, Keywords: Building speed ships. Mentions Zantford Granville and Robert Dexter.

Russell Thaw arrives on a 'mystery visit' to Bowles Agawam airport. Frank Lynch's ship is nearing completion and will be ready for test flights within 10 days. Work is also starting on the Thompson Trophy plane that Hall himself plans to fly, expected to exceed 300 mph.

Title: Russell Thaw Visits on 'Mystery Trip', Keywords: Frank Lynch ship nearing completion. Mentions Nate C. Browne.

Hall is building a racing plane for the Thompson Trophy event, ensuring competition between two Springfield-built planes as the Gee Bee will also enter. Russell Thaw is named as pilot. The gull-wing plane will have a top speed over 290 mph with a Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine producing over 600 horsepower.

Title: Hall Building Racing Plane for Thompson, Keywords: Competition with Gee Bee assured. Specifications: 290+ mph target, 25 ft wingspan, 18 ft length, P&W Wasp 600+ hp.

Air-race trade is booming in Springfield with both Granville Brothers and Springfield Aircraft Company racing to complete four racing ships. Russell Thaw's ship for the Thompson Trophy race will be ready for trial flights by August 15th. Crowds are visiting local airports daily to watch the progress.

Title: Air-Race Trade Booming, Keywords: Thaw ship ready for trial by August 15. Mentions Bill Hermann.

Fast competition is expected from the local gull-wing ship being built by Springfield Aircraft for the Frank R. Phillips trophy race in Cleveland. The plane is considered one of the strongest contenders. Officials have high hopes but make no predictions about the outcome.

Title: Fast Competition Expected in Phillips Trophy, Keywords: Local plane entry. Mentions Bob Hall and Frank Lynch.

Photo shows mechanics Nelson Lundgren and Harry Jones working on Bob Hall's gull-wing racer at Bowles Agawam airport. Both mechanics were injured at last year's races but are eager to return. Hall intends to make time on pylon turns impossible to beat at the Cleveland races.

Title: Mechanics Working on Final Preparations, Keywords: Nelson Lundgren and Harry Jones helping Bob Hall with final preparations.

The black and red gull-wing racer has been officially named 'Bulldog' after a canine companion. Mrs. Harry F. Guggenheim flew in from New York with Russell Thaw to view the nearly completed ship at Bowles Agawam airport. The Gee Bee R-1 is also expected to be ready for testing today.

Title: Bulldog Racing Bumblebee, Keywords: Black and red gull-wing named 'Bulldog' nearly completed. First public mention of the aircraft's name. Mrs. Guggenheim backing confirmed.

Bad luck and a near-crash mar test flights of rival planes before a large crowd. The Bulldog was kept from takeoff by a flat tire, while Russell Boardman saved the Gee Bee from a ground loop after an impressive dash. Both ships plan to resume tests later today.

Title: Bad Luck and Near-Crash Mar Tests, Keywords: Hall kept by flat tire. Mentions Russell Boardman. Target speed: 275-280 mph.

Springfield's rival speed planes were tested almost simultaneously at Agawam Field. Photo shows Russell N. Boardman, transatlantic flier who will pilot the Gee Bee, and Russell W. Thaw with a sketch of the Hall Bulldog plane he plans to fly in the Cleveland races.

Title: Bulldog and Gee Bee Tested Simultaneously, Keywords: Both aircraft tested almost simultaneously at Agawam. Mentions Lee Gehlbach.

Hall tests his racer but won't 'guess' on the plane's speed. He didn't spend time looking at the indicator during test flights. The ship uses radical design innovations including special landing gear developed by Hall. Mrs. Harry F. Guggenheim has declared herself 'entranced' by the Bulldog's performance.

Title: Hall Tests Racer But Won't Guess on Speed, Keywords: Indicates 500 mph may be possible in future aircraft. Target speed: 280+ mph.

Robert L. Hall's speed plane 'The Bulldog' is flight-tested at Bowles-Agawam Airport. Photo shows the ship taking off on its initial flight which proved a success. Also pictured: Russell Thaw, the youthful New York flier who will pilot the plane in Cleveland, and Robert L. Hall, its designer.

Title: Hall Speedplane Tested in Hop from Bowles-Agawam, Keywords: Photo page showing Russell Thaw and Bob Hall.

Russell Thaw's speed plane receives its final test at Bowles-Agawam Airport. A new and larger rudder has been installed for easier handling, and Hall pronounced the tests satisfactory. Hall previously designed the 'City of Springfield' which Lowell R. Bayles flew to victory in last year's Thompson Trophy race.

Title: Thaw Speed Plane Given Final Test, Keywords: New larger rudder installed.

The Bulldog is scheduled for a test hop today following Hall's near-crash. Rumors circulate that Thaw may take up the ship this morning. Associates at Springfield Aircraft were high in their praise for the airplane, noting its stability could save a life even when landing gear and propeller are damaged.

Title: Bulldog to Go Up in Test Hop Today, Keywords: Near-crash from tire blowout. Mentions Jimmie Collins. Takeoff speed: 160+ mph.

Mechanics work on the gull-wing racer putting finishing touches on the ship. Final testing is expected this morning with Russell Thaw piloting the plane in the Thompson Trophy race. A Pratt & Whitney mechanic worked on the motor after it started spurting oil. Streamlining and final painting completed.

Title: Mechanics at Work on Gull-Wing Racer, Keywords: P&W mechanic worked on motor.

Speed ships remain in hangars due to structural changes delaying departure for the Bendix Trophy contest. The necessity for adjustments has harassed pilots in the days before the races. The Bulldog and Thaw's gull-wing monoplane were caught in this general state of confusion affecting Springfield's air entries.

Title: Hall Flies to Hartford for Minor Repair, Keywords: Oil spray corrected. Mentions Edmund Guggenheim. Speed: 260+ mph achieved.

Motor troubles keep the Bulldog grounded as more changes need to be made to the rudder and fin. Russell Thaw and Jim Collins were at Hartford waiting for repairs at the Pratt & Whitney factory. Thaw's chances of entering the Bendix event are endangered by the necessary last-minute changes.

Title: Motor Ills Keep Bulldog Grounded, Keywords: Thaw Bendix chances endangered. Mentions Frank Lynch.

Springfield Aircraft Company battles a jinx while rushing work on both the Bulldog racer and the Mexican Cicada. Test flights amaze crowds as Thaw took the racer aloft and put it through test maneuvers. The prominent tail has been 'clipped' and the fin enlarged to make almost a straight line from cockpit hood to tail top.

Title: Fitting Bulldog and Cicada for Bendix, Keywords: Tail clipped, fin enlarged. Mentions Jimmie Collins and May Haizlip.

Hall plane may not be entered in the race. Robert L. Hall returned to Springfield from Roosevelt Field announcing that Russell Thaw would not fly in either trophy race as planned. Thaw had flown to New York announcing his intention to head for Los Angeles. Hall was seeking financial support to promote the plane's entry.

Title: Hall Plane May Not Be Entered in Race, Keywords: Thaw won't fly it.

Designs of 1932 racing planes reveal strides in construction. Among the new types to be seen at the races is the gull-wing monoplane constructed by Robert L. Hall of Springfield. The late Lowell R. Bayles piloted one of Hall's Gee Bee designs to victory in the 1931 Thompson Trophy race at 236 mph.

Title: Designs of 1932 Racing Planes Reveal Strides, Keywords: Strides in construction. Mentions Lowell Bayles. Target speed: 300+ mph.

Thaw plans to start west today to enter the race from the coast. Photos show Lee Gehlbach and Russell W. Thaw. Hall is satisfied with the Bulldog's performance in final tests. The plane made impressive speed runs at Gallaudet, Annapolis. Plans remain tentative due to last-minute complications.

Title: Thaw Plans to Start West for Bendix, Keywords: Photos of Gehlbach and Thaw. Speed: 245.709 mph maximum recorded.

Thaw refuses to fly the plane unless it is repurchased. The central feature of the situation is that while Thaw owns the plane and will not fly it, Hall has no plane but is eager to race. Thaw says he would buy another ship if he could sell the Bulldog. The arrangement with Mrs. Guggenheim and Hall reached an impasse.

Title: THAW REFUSES TO FLY PLANE, Keywords: Says gull-wing 'not suited for racing.' A devastating blow just days before the Cleveland races. Mentions Jimmie Collins.

A new speed record for land planes of 300+ mph is expected at the Thompson Trophy race opening August 27 in Cleveland. Photos show a stubby Gee Bee, Russell Thaw with a sketch of the gull-wing plane he plans to fly, and a low-wing racer. More than 40 special racing planes have been built for the 80-odd events.

Title: Speed Mark for Land Planes Expected at Cleveland, Keywords: Photos of Gee Bee. Mentions Jimmy Doolittle and Lowell Bayles.

Hall flies to Akron on his way to the national air races at Cleveland. The plane, originally built for Russell W. Thaw who refused to fly it after completion, is now being flown by Hall himself for the Thompson Trophy race where he placed fourth last year.

Title: Hall Flies to Akron, Keywords: Plane built for Thaw who refused to fly.

Hall will hop off for the air races in the Bulldog today. President of Springfield Aircraft Company will fly the speed plane for Mrs. Guggenheim, who is still on friendly terms with Hall but had difficulty over the sponsorship arrangement. Thaw declined to fly and returned to New York, saying he didn't want 'second-hand glory.'

Title: Hall to Hop Off for Races in Bulldog, Keywords: Mrs. Guggenheim backing confirmed. William Hermann mentioned.

Springfield ships are ready to contest for speed honors. Lee Gehlbach is at Los Angeles ready for the Bendix race while Robert Hall is at Akron with plans unknown. Hall took off unexpectedly from Roosevelt Field after learning Thaw would not fly. Hall's arrival at Akron was reported to associates at Bowles-Agawam Airport.

Title: Springfield Ships Ready for Speed Honors, Keywords: Hall at Akron. Mentions Lee Gehlbach and Jimmy Doolittle.

Hall goes 245 miles an hour! The flyer from Springfield qualifies at Cleveland, averaging 222.97 mph with Ben O. Howard at 213.85 mph. Hall, flying his gull-wing monoplane of his own design, reached a maximum of 245.79 mph on one dash but was forced to cut speed when the streamlined cowling came loose.

Title: Hall Goes 245 Miles an Hour, Keywords: Qualifies at Cleveland. Speed: 245.709 mph maximum, 222.97 mph average. Mentions Ben Howard.

Terrific speeds reached in qualifying air tests at Cleveland. Robert L. Hall of Springfield, Mass. averaged 222.97 mph while flying his gull-wing monoplane. His fastest time was 245.79 mph on one of the four dashes, but he was forced to cut speed when the cowling around his engine came loose.

Title: Reach Terrific Speeds in Qualifying Air Tests, Keywords: Hall qualifies at 245.79 mph maximum. Mentions Ben Howard.

Doolittle attains 296 miles an hour in the Gee Bee racer. In the gathering dusk of the early evening, the famous pilot flashed around the world four times on a three-kilometer course. Meanwhile, Hall of Springfield averaged 222 mph in his gull-wing ship, qualifying for the Thompson Trophy race.

Title: Doolittle Attains 296 mph in Gee Bee, Keywords: Hall qualifying at 222 mph.

Doolittle makes third assault on speed record. Three famous airmen vie with Doolittle in record-breaking attempts: Robert L. Hall of Springfield, Mass. filed application with the contest committee for a world record in his gull-wing monoplane, along with Jimmie Wedell and Jimmie Haizlip.

Title: Doolittle Makes Third Assault on Speed Record, Keywords: Hall filed application. Mentions Jimmie Wedell.

Two pilots qualify for the fast race. Ray Moore and Robert L. Hall joined the select company of Jimmy Doolittle, Capt. Ross Turner and Ben O. Howard. Hall sent his gull-wing monoplane twice over the course at an average of 254.563 mph, with his fastest time downwind being 271 mph.

Title: Hall Sends Gull-Wing Over Course at 254.563 mph, Keywords: 271 mph downwind peak. Mentions Ray Moore.

Planes collide banking at a pylon, sending two pilots plunging 150 feet to the hospital. Neither pilot died. Meanwhile in the Thompson Trophy qualifying, Hall of Springfield sent his gull-wing monoplane twice over the course at 254.563 mph average, with a fastest time of 271 mph downwind.

Title: Planes Collide Banking Pylon, Keywords: Hall does 254 mph average.

Air hero's friends and rivals compete in national races. The spirit of the late Lowell R. Bayles hovers over the scene at Cleveland tomorrow. Photos show Jimmy Doolittle and the Gee Bee, Lee Gehlbach with the Gee Bee 'Sportster,' and Jimmy Wedell, all competing against Bob Hall in the Bulldog.

Title: Air Heroes, Friends and Rivals to Compete, Keywords: Spirit of Lowell Bayles. Mentions Jimmy Doolittle and Lee Gehlbach.

Doolittle wins the Gee Bee, flies 250 miles an hour! He roared around the Springfield Air Patrol course and smashed all previous records. Hall's Bulldog mysteriously cracked up in the Thompson race during the third lap and landed safely on the infield, though the cause of the crash was unclear.

Title: Doolittle Wins in Gee Bee at 252 mph, Keywords: Hall finishes sixth in Thompson Trophy at 211.47 mph. Mentions Lee Gehlbach.

Aircraft makers had a poor year despite success. Local machines were widely acclaimed but general conditions worked against production increases. The loss of Lowell R. Bayles was keenly felt by the local company. Robert L. Hall, former chief engineer of Granville Brothers, may bring the Springfield Aircraft company into prominence.

Title: Aircraft Makers Had Poor Year Despite Success, Keywords: Hall may bring new idea. Mentions Lowell Bayles and Zantford Granville.

Twenty-three young men completed courses in motors, weather mapping, meteorology and elementary aerodynamics at the ground school of Springfield Aircraft. The course entitles students to engage in practical mechanical work at the school, which will move back to Bowles Agawam airport when shop equipment is transferred.

Title: 23 End Courses at Ground School, Keywords: New class forming. Mentions William Hermann.

Aviation pioneer Robert L. Hall dies at age 85. Hall got his start designing Gee Bee racers and went on to design jets for Grumman. His Gee Bee Model Z 'City of Springfield' won the Thompson Trophy in 1931, and pilot Lowell Bayles set an air speed record of 296.2 mph. Hall later joined Grumman, designing the F4F Wildcat, F6 Hellcat, F8F Bearcat, and F7F Tigercat.

Title: Aviation Pioneer Robert L. Hall Dies at 85, Keywords: Obituary. Career highlights: Gee Bee Z design, Grumman F4F/F6F/F8F/F7F fighters, Gulfstream I. Inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame in 1990.

Feature article on Russell Thaw's new Thompson Trophy racer. Hall, co-designer with Z.D. Granville of the 1931 winner 'City of Springfield,' worked for six months on the Thaw ship. The scarlet plane with black areas features an enclosed cockpit and new landing gear. Specifications compare the Thaw Racer to the City of Springfield: top speed 300+ mph vs 267 mph.

Title: Russell Thaw's New Thompson Trophy Racer, Keywords: Specifications table: 1,750 lbs, 750+ hp, 81.5 sq ft wing area, 300+ mph target.